Welcome to Childless Island Discs

With Andrew Fletcher

This is a respectful variation of BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs that has been aired since 29th January 1942. The concept is that guests (or castaways) choose eight recordings, plus a book and a luxury item that they then discuss during the course of the show. Castaways are automatically given the Complete Works of Shakespeare plus The Bible or another appropriate religious or philosophical work. They are also allowed one luxury on the condition that would not allow castaways to escape or communicate with the “outside world”.

We have changed the above format for Childless Island Discs. This is so we can more effectively reflect the world we live in and the fact that, due logistical and financial reasons, we don’t play any of the music during the course of the show. Instead we provide YouTube links to the two pieces of music and to the two films mentioned. There are also Amazon links to the castaway’s books mention. We are more flexible with the two luxuries items that castaways are allow to take with them. These can now communicate with the “outside world”: however, they have been restricted so that this communication cannot be used to aid their “escape”. Don’t ask us to explain exactly how this is done: people accept that the TARDIS is bigger on the inside that the outside so this is our “TARDIS”.

Creative “cheating” or pushing the boundaries of what is an acceptable “luxury” is allowed. I see this in following in the footsteps of John Cleese. When he was a castaway on Desert Island Discs (5th January 1997) he was allowed to take Michael Palin as his “luxury” as long as Palin was dead and stuffed!

The Shows

To listen to our castaways discuss their choice of music, films, books and luxuries with Andrew Fletcher please click on the images below.